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Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide

This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter.
For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. They hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.

I was going to switch to Linux anyway....but even if that had not been the case- after learning that Win-D'ohs 7 "phones home" every now and then and reports the contents of your HD to MS, that alone would make me switch!

As soon as I switched to Linux, I had no desire to return to Winders. I didn't find Linux to be so radically different, as some people claim it to be. If you can use Winders...you can use Linux- the differences are not that great, and one can easily learn...much like going from a scooter to a motorcycle or an automatic car to a stick- there are a few little differences in operation, but basically, it's the same skills and habits you already possess.

Only difference is...Linux actually works- and doesn't crash or get viruses or spy on you....or keep you from doing what you want when you are capable of doing it.

Linux may not be perfect either- and I doubt any OS ever will be.....but after now being a convert for 6 months, I couldn't even consider going back to Winduds. I haven't booted into Winders in months...I have no reason to. I will be wiping Winders from my HD when I have some time.....

Win-D'ohs kjust gets worse and worse. Keeps getting more bloated...requires ever more resources just to do the most basic things that you could do with Win95 on a 166Mhz 'puter! By contrast, Linux has gotten better and better- and now it has arrived!

@sumguy yes , but linux also gets to use more and more resources . just that the resources linux uses now are considered as small because windows is using at maximum the cutting edge processors and ram that exist .
while linux is more modest.

anyways.. yeah .. it's nice to install ubuntu from the cd and discover that in the applications menu you got almost all that you could wish for ... and see that it's still under 4GB ...

I honestly don't see how you guys can believe Windows sends data of what is actually on your HDD besides Windows itself (aka Personal Data) If they did, there would be patches to stop that from happening by hackers. Do you see that? No. The only thing that sends info back is Microsoft Genuine Advantage which sends a HARDWARE PROFILE to MS and also verifies if your copy of Windows is legit or pirated. Adobe does this with Photoshop, are they evil too? Are they spying on you? NO!!! We (in the US at least) are protected by the 4th Amendment and Microsoft would be shut down instantly if they did. Simple as that. There is nothing wrong with what they do because you are TOLD what they send. Fedora asks you if you'd like to send a Hardware Profile once you're connected to the internet, it's the same as Windows. I've even heard that Ubuntu is planning on adding a small script that sends the version number and such back to Canonical for a more accurate statistic on market share. The only difference is that can be shut off.

And what's really that bad with Windows? I'm using it right now. It's (somewhat) fast, it's virus free (avast!), it does what I need (Photoshop, Internet, Code::Blocks, Eclipse), and it's only crashed when I forced it to crash. Linux same thing, except it's faster and obviously virus free. This laptop came with Vista and I happily use it. I keep it because of games, MS Office 2010, Photoshop and my iPod Touch. I don't see why the 2 can't live in harmony and why the user can't choose what is best for them? But I've heard people say I'm not a real "Linux User" because I do still use Windows. But honestly it's something you will never be able to escape. Microsoft isn't evil, they're just a company that has the biggest market share. I'm sure if it Apple was in the lead, people would be tearing OSX apart saying all the same BS I hear now.

Windows is a good OS for certain people. But when Windows isn't enough for you, you use Linux/BSD. I was one of the people that I needed more, yet I still have a need for Windows. I see no problems with this.

I honestly don't see how you guys can believe Windows sends data of what is actually on your HDD besides Windows itself (aka Personal Data) If they did, there would be patches to stop that from happening by hackers. Do you see that? No. The only thing that sends info back is Microsoft Genuine Advantage which sends a HARDWARE PROFILE to MS and also verifies if your copy of Windows is legit or pirated.

Read the license/user agreement. It periodically reports on your SOFTWARE (every 90 days, if memory serves...) and it will shut down and disable your 'puter if it SUSPECTS you of having any pirated software or DRM violations- and you are AGREEING to this when you click "Yes" on the UA.

I just booted up Vista tonight fore the first time in months, to use my Magicjack- I felt like I was in HELL! The Vista just seems to get slower and slower...even when it hasn't been used in months- and it was just such a pain to do a few simple things, which would be a breeze in Ubuntu. The Vista also makes my CPU fan scream almost non-stop.....and just selecting a program to allow through the Windows Firewall was showing 100% CPU usage!

I'm sorry, but Windows is PURE crap! I can't speak for Windows 7- as I've never used it...and I won't be using it, as I don't agree to MS controlling my 'puter, and I've given them enough of a chance in the past- 11 years worth, to be exact.

I do hear a lot of positive comments about Win7- but I have no intentions of upgrading my hardware to use it; and I wonder how it will perform after it's been on your machine for a while? (Like all former Winders OS's, it will likely degrade and slow-down)

I was tired of Windows before I even tried Linux....and now, after experiencing the difference, I really can't stand Windows.

Read the license/user agreement. It periodically reports on your SOFTWARE (every 90 days, if memory serves...) and it will shut down and disable your 'puter if it SUSPECTS you of having any pirated software or DRM violations- and you are AGREEING to this when you click "Yes" on the UA.

I just booted up Vista tonight fore the first time in months, to use my Magicjack- I felt like I was in HELL! The Vista just seems to get slower and slower...even when it hasn't been used in months- and it was just such a pain to do a few simple things, which would be a breeze in Ubuntu. The Vista also makes my CPU fan scream almost non-stop.....and just selecting a program to allow through the Windows Firewall was showing 100% CPU usage!

I'm sorry, but Windows is PURE crap! I can't speak for Windows 7- as I've never used it...and I won't be using it, as I don't agree to MS controlling my 'puter, and I've given them enough of a chance in the past- 11 years worth, to be exact.

I do hear a lot of positive comments about Win7- but I have no intentions of upgrading my hardware to use it; and I wonder how it will perform after it's been on your machine for a while? (Like all former Winders OS's, it will likely degrade and slow-down)

I was tired of Windows before I even tried Linux....and now, after experiencing the difference, I really can't stand Windows.

Completely (a)greed. I would rather be able to use the computer I paid for than have the company who programs my OS be Nazist and use it for me. It should be the same for everyone.

Last edited by Kenny_Strawn; 01-09-2011 at 01:03 AM.
Reason: Made satirical misspelling of "agreed" easier to recognize.

well isnt forcing your opinion on everyone just as bad as being "nazist" and forcing a certain way of using a computer on everyone?

Seriously? It is a small minority (the minority actually running Microsoft) with beliefs contrary to this opinion. The majority doesn't believe that they should be controlled by an outside entity. (Which brings me right back to Big Ballmer.)